More people from the Gen Z group aspire to be an influencer by taking a degree in social media.
In a world where young adults' TikTok obsession often raises eyebrows, a new academic endeavor in Ireland is changing the game.
South East Technological University (SETU), located in Carlow, is all set to launch a Bachelor of Arts degree program in influencing. With this, more Gen Z people may want to take a social media-related program.
Tailoring Education for the Influencer Economy
SETU's bachelor's degree, specifically tailored for the influencer economy, is a pioneering move in academia.
Irene McCormick, a senior lecturer at SETU and a co-designer of the program, believes this is a transformative step.
The influencer market is a booming industry, with Harvard Business Review valuing it at a staggering $16.4 billion last year. With businesses allocating larger portions of their marketing budgets to influencer collaborations, it's an attractive field. Gen Z, in particular, is drawn to this profession, with 1 in 4 aspiring to become influencers.
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How SETU's Social Media Degree Began
How SETU's Content Creation and Social Media degree started can be traced back to 2019. McCormick was inspired when her daughter introduced her to a fellow student, Lauren Whelan, a prominent TikTok star.
Realizing the immense influence these young stars wield, SETU initiated the Digital Hustle summer program. Here, teenagers learn the art of building a personal brand from TikTok stars and media theorists. McCormick notes that there was a clear demand in this path.
"We knew there was a space and need for this, we just needed to develop the course into a bachelor's degree and get it ratified,"she said via The Washington Post
Influencer Degree as Non-Traditional Career Path
With the evolving nature of work and a growing demand among young people for non-traditional career paths, SETU's influencer degree aligns with the changing times. Modern companies seek students who are job-ready from day one, making specialized education increasingly vital.
While SETU's influencer degree shares some common ground with digital marketing programs, it fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship and resourcefulness among students.
In a world where influencer careers are often glamorized, the program encourages a practical perspective.
Social media is challenging to incorporate with education given how some people view it. Influencers often grapple with unpredictable algorithms, fleeting platform features, and evolving social media landscapes.
The program recognizes this and strives to focus on higher-level concepts that can adapt to the ever-changing influencer industry.
Gen Z people, no doubt, are thriving in this modern world. They have a clear grasp of AI and its applications. They also know how to learn financial hacks on TikTok and other platforms.
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